The Vatican Loggias (also known as the “Logge di Raffaello”) are in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City. They were built by Donato Bramante in 1512 and decorated by the workshop of Raphael in 1519. Largely inspired by grotesque designs of the then recently re-discovered Domus Aurea (“Gold House of Nero”) in Rome, the influence of the Vatican Loggias on royal decorations throughout Europe can still be seen today in various royal palaces. In fact, architect Giacomo Quarenghi built a full copy of the loggias in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg for Catherine the Great at the end of the 18^th century. Buona visita!